Shortcat

Shortcat is a universal command palette application designed for macOS users who want to control their computer using only the keyboard. It addresses the need to interact with the Mac user interface more efficiently by indexing UI elements and making them accessible through a command palette, eliminating the reliance on a mouse. The tool is compatible with macOS 13 and above, supporting both Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs.

With Shortcat, users can perform actions such as clicking buttons, focusing text fields, invoking menu commands, and switching between windows entirely via keyboard input. Its capabilities include clicking, right-clicking, double-clicking, and clicking with modifier keys, all triggered by typing the name or label of the UI element—for example, typing "ok" to activate an OK button. The application features a fuzzy search algorithm with synonym support, allowing users to quickly find and execute commands even if they use alternative terms like "delete," "remove," or "clear" for the same action.

Shortcat extends its functionality to web browsers, working in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and some Chromium-based browsers such as Vivaldi. It also supports most Electron-based applications, including Visual Studio Code, Home Assistant, Signal, and 1Password 8, though its effectiveness may vary depending on each application's accessibility implementation. For multitasking, users can search and summon windows by title, streamlining the process of switching between tasks without relying on standard keyboard shortcuts like Command + Tab.

Additional features include the ability to search and activate menu items in the frontmost application using fuzzy search, and a dedicated emoji mode that enables fast insertion of emojis by typing associated labels or synonyms. Shortcat is available for download as a standalone app or can be installed via Homebrew. The application is developed by Sproutcube, with Shortcat® registered as a trademark of Chendo Enterprises Pty Ltd and licensed to Sproutcube.